LARGE BLUE AND WHITE ROULEAU VASE  KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)...

Hammer

£25,000

LARGE BLUE AND WHITE ROULEAU VASE 
KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)
康熙青花神仙人物圖紋
the vase of cylindrical body is supported on a spreading foot and surmounted by a waisted neck and galleried rim. The neck has a band of circles and ruyi. Finely painted in various shades of vibrant under glaze blue the narrative scene depicts a large bearded figure with his chest exposed and fiery eyes - holding a small cloth bag. A smaller figure approaches him carrying a large silver ingot. 
48cm high

NOTE: The figure is that of Li Kui, a fictional figure from the Ming novel Shuihu Zhuan - "The Water Margin" - and whose nickname was “Black Whirlwind”.  The narrative scene is considered to be taken from the opening paragraph of Chapter 43 of the novel  in which Li Kui makes plans to travel to Baizhang Village in Yishui County in order to rescue  his mother. The novel describes how  he was given certain conditions by Song Jiang for his journey: (1) That he go and fetch his mother quietly  (2) He could not drink on the way (3) Leave his two battle-axes behind. Having been instructed so, Li Ku then tied up some belongings, took a halberd, one large silver ingot and some small pieces of silver - all of which are detailed in the novel.

PROVENANCE: Acquired from “The Decorative Arts Sale”, Christie’s, Amsterdam, 30 June 2009, Lot 296.

RELATED EXAMPLES: For a similar size rouleau vase but with an image of Kui Xing see “Art D’ Asie”, Christie’s Paris, 6 July 2022, Lot 24.

More Information

With a couple of well restored chips to the inside of the rim of approximately 1 cm in length.